Social Degenerates.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 1, 5 January 1910, Page 7

Social Degenerates.

The latest eccentricity in entertainments was given early last month by Mrs. Adolf Ladenberg at her«eountry home on the Hudson River (says a New’ York correspondent). It was no less than an exhibition of prize-fighting to cater to the jaded taste of New York society people. Public prize-fighting is against the law in this State, but there is no statute which can prevent a private exhibition, and as society has had dinners on horseback, pony banquets, and lunches, on the lawn, where the hose has been turned on the guests, a private prize-fight came as a real relaxation that has not been enjoyed for years. Mrs. Ladenberg is the widow of a millionaire .tradesman, who amassed an immense amount of money, but who never entertained largely or cared for social functions. His widow, however, has different tastes, and got herself into the smart set, and at her prize-fight she entertained some 60 or 70 members of select New York society, most of whom belonged to the Meadowbrook Hunt Club. A regulation ring Jiad been erected in the magnificent drawingroom of the Tsidenberg country home, and Bowery bruisers fought round after round of a contest which was brutal in the extreme, while matrons and debutantes dressed in beautiful evening froeks stood round and applauded vigorously. Even the sight of blood did not daunt them, but blow after blow in the face of the opposing fighters drew forth cheers and laughter. A society

clubman explained each round to the women, and afterwards the guests had a dinner, which was graced by the presence of tlje fighters, and society women vied with each other in showering attentions upon these heroes.